On Wednesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed three bills into law, which aim to strengthen reproductive rights within the state.
During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers passed three new laws to protect women who seek abortion care in Illinois.
Democratic Governor Pritzker emphasized that by signing the three bills, Illinois is sending a clear message that women will always have the freedom to make their own medical decisions.
The three new law take several actions.
Illinois hospitals would be obligated to provide care in compliance with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, regardless of whether the U.S. Supreme Court decides that federal law does not enforce it.
Illinois has recently expanded its shield laws to protect healthcare services provided within the state. The law prohibits state and local authorities from providing any information or resources that would assist any out-of-state entity in investigating healthcare services, including abortion and gender-affirming care.
Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, the third law now includes reproductive health decisions, which means that it is unlawful to discriminate against someone in terms of employment, housing, loan or credit based on their reproductive health choices.
Governor Pritzker reaffirmed his commitment to protecting women’s bodily autonomy in Illinois. He stated that he made this promise six years ago and is pleased to have worked with the general assembly to make it a reality. Pritzker expressed his satisfaction that progress has been made towards fulfilling this promise.
Those who were against the three new laws, being Republicans, believed that the anti-discrimination legislation lacked sufficient safeguards for organizations that are associated with religion.
According to their argument, expanding the shield law could end up shielding criminals, including human traffickers. This is because providers in Illinois will not be able to report or help other states prosecute such crimes.
During the Senate debate, State Senator Jil Tracy from Quincy expressed her concern about protecting reproductive rights while ensuring that it does not provide cover for human traffickers, rape, and incest of minor children, regardless of their state.
Opponents from the Republican party have claimed that the legislation that would make EMTALA a part of state law is unnecessary, as they believe that abortion is not a medically necessary procedure.
According to Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, these new laws are crucial for safeguarding women not only in Illinois but also throughout the United States.
As a Democrat, Stratton expressed her immense gratitude for the tools available to protect women in Illinois, affirming that the state trusts women and will never regress.
According to the speaker, Iowa recently implemented its “Iowa’s “fetal heartbeat” abortion ban,. This move has brought Iowa into the fold of neighboring states like Kentucky, Missouri, and Indiana, which have also implemented strict abortion laws.
